Iraq is the biggest country of voluntary return from Finland

In November 119 persons chose to return to their countries of origin from Finland through IOM's programme for Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR). Of these, 90 persons returned to Iraq.

During the whole year of 2017, a total of 1353 persons have returned voluntarily from Finland with IOM's assistance. Of these 1044 persons have returned to Iraq. Albania, Afghanistan, Ukraine and the Russian Federation are the next countries on the list, but with only some tens of returnees each.

Returnees have been assisted from Finland to a total of 34 countries during this year.

IOM Finland's assistance to voluntary returnees from Finland is based on an agreement with the Finnish Immigration Service, Migri. Returnees can be granted either cash grants to help them reintegrate or are given in-kind-support like training.

According to IOM, voluntary return should always be the preferred mode of return, as it is the most sustainable alternative in view of the reintegration of migrants.